SC gives time till March to file affidavits

Accepting the request of Union Government, the Supreme Court on Thursday granted it time till March first week to file affidavits pertaining...

Accepting the request of Union Government, the Supreme Court on Thursday granted it time till March first week to file affidavits pertaining to the controversial Sethusamudram shipping canal project.

Additional Solicitor General R Mohan, appearing on behalf of the Centre, contended before a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal that more time was required for furnishing the affidavits sought by the court in its last sitting.

The apex court is hearing a batch of petitions including the one filed by Janata Party president Dr Subramaniam Swamy raising serious questions on the viability of Sethusamudram project, besides seeking directions to ensure that Adam’s Bridge or the Rama Sethu, should not be destroyed.

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On Thursday, Swamy reminded that the Centre was supposed to file its response on two things, namely, the proposal to review the alignments of the Sethusamudram project and, secondly, whether the so-called bridge, situated south-east of Rameswaram connected to the Thalaimannar coast of Sri Lanka, could be declared an ancient monument under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. He also urged that there should not be any further adjournments.

In the previous hearing on January 16, Attorney General Milon K Banerji had informed the court that a committee appointed by the Centre was re-examining the feasibility of the project. The court then gave time till February 12 to file the affidavits.

The controversy in the matter began after the Government came out with two affidavits questioning the existence of Lord Rama and the bridge which were subsequently withdrawn after widespread hue and cry.

Now again, following the reported differences within the Government over the ‘line’ to be taken in the affidavit, the Centre has successfully secured an extension of time.